World T20: Defying all odds, Caribbeans cruise to historical victories

New Delhi: About two months back, when cricket boards and selection committees around the globe were busy analyzing their players' potentials in order to send their best talent for the T20 mega-event, West Indies was struggling to make it to the competition itself. However, the spirit of competition and passion for the sport got better of the adverse sensibilities. The Caribbeans arrived in India with a host of colossal tasks, the most important being to prove their exceptional talent and the second to silence their most bitter critics and detractors.

Cut to: Final match of the ICC World T20. West Indies require 19 runs off the last 6 balls to create history. Kolkata’s Eden Gardens is witnessing a slew of emotions. Right from the buoyant English supporters to the nervous West Indies fans, it was a perfect setting that makes for the historic moments

Carlos Brathwaite is at the crease along with Marlon Samuels with Joe Root ready to bowl from the other end. A few boundaries are anticipated but the packed house and the Television viewers have no idea what their eyes are going to see in the next few moments.

Brathwaite hits a mammoth six off the first ball sending the crowd into a frenzy, the second ball gets the same treatment and the result is the same, the crowd frenzy reaches a crescendo and the West Indies dug out comes alive with 7 runs required off the remaining 4 balls. Third delivery is dispatched for a towering six, scores are tied, the crowd is on its feet, and the West Indies dug out is delirious. Fourth ball and history is made as the ball sails outside the boundary for the maximum, making it four back-to-back sixes. Yes, four! And West Indies became the WT20 champions for the second time after 2010, that too on the same day when their women’s team became the T20 champions defeating Australia.

Let us have a glimpse of the Caribbeans journey in the T20 World Cup which was nonetheless as thrilling as the aforementioned final over of the tournament:

England vs West Indies16th March, 2016

West Indies won this match by six wickets, highlight being Chris Gayle's brilliant 100

Sri Lanka vs West Indies20th March, 2016Choosing to bowl first, West Indies won this match by 7 wickets with help of a great bowling performance

South Africa vs West Indies27th March, 2016

Chasing the same target as against Sri Lanka, West Indies registered a dramatic victory with only two balls remaining

Afghanistan vs West Indies30th March, 2016

This thrilling clash is definitely the highest point for Afghanistan cricket till now. Already out of the tournament, they defeated West Indies by six runs and thus returned with smiling faces.

England vs West Indies3rd April, 2016

With a four-wicket win, West Indies became the proud owners of the ICC World T20 title